World of Warcraft: Forever will include a significant portion of content with a standard WoW subscription, but the new Skyborne Elf race and its starter zone will cost an additional .99 through the Skyborne Hero Pack. This pack includes the elf race, a mount, cosmetics, housing decorations, and early name reservation. The pricing strategy aligns with industry standards, but some community members find it steep compared to other games. Historically, expansion packs have been priced around .99, while the most recent WoW expansion was priced at .99. Future classes in Forever may adopt a similar monetization strategy, which raises concerns among long-time fans about diverging from classic WoW principles.
Lakebase Postgres employs a disaggregated storage model that enhances data management through efficient caching, utilizing an object store like S3 for backups. The caching operates on two layers: within distributed storage for optimizing write and read performance, and on the Postgres compute side for ultra-fast access to frequently accessed pages. Traditional Postgres caching involves shared buffers and the OS page cache, which leads to double buffering and inefficiencies. Lakebase Postgres addresses these issues by implementing a local file cache (LFC) and larger shared buffers, allowing for more effective memory utilization without the drawbacks of the OS page cache. The shared buffers are set to a maximum of 1 GB, while the LFC can utilize up to 75% of DRAM. The introduction of huge pages reduces memory management overhead and improves performance, resulting in significant throughput increases and reduced latency in production environments. Recent enhancements have shown up to 2× throughput improvements and substantial reductions in CPU usage. The focus is now on extending these benefits to autoscaling Postgres computes, with plans to implement dynamic shared buffers and autoscaling huge pages.
Google Maps is launching the Ask Maps initiative, which includes a food ordering feature allowing users to order meals directly from the app while navigating. This feature will initially be available in the U.S. and partners include Square, Toast, and Uber Eats, with DoorDash also involved. Users can ask for specific dishes, and the app will find nearby restaurants along their route. Additionally, Google Maps will introduce a Personal Intelligence feature that connects with Gmail and Calendar for personalized recommendations based on users' plans. The live Transit widget will provide real-time updates on transportation delays, and users can contribute information to Maps through a conversational interface. The food ordering feature and hotel/event discovery will debut in the U.S. and expand to other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico, while being available in English across over 150 countries and territories.
Valve's Steam Machine has faced challenges due to scalpers exploiting its limited availability. Despite measures like a randomized queue and one-unit purchase limits, resellers have listed the device at inflated prices on platforms like eBay. For example, a 2TB Steam Machine bundled with a controller is priced at ,899.99, over double its retail cost of 8. Listings for 2TB models range from ,700 to ,899.99, while a 512GB model without a controller is offered for ,800. Resale practices mirror those seen during the Steam Controller launch, where buyers could purchase multiple units for resale. The Steam Machine's higher starting price of ,049 makes reselling less feasible for many. Valve has indicated that as they process reservations, cancellations may open opportunities for others on the waiting list. Additionally, there is speculation about the demand for Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, amid existing competition.
Valve's Steam Summer Sale 2026 began today at 1:00 PM ET and will run until July 9, 2026, featuring discounts on over 4,000 titles. The average discount is around 45%, with reductions of up to 90% on older catalog titles. New releases like Gothic 1 Remake, Resident Evil Requiem, and Crimson Desert are included in the sale. Discounts are locked for the entire duration of the sale, and there is a minimum 30-day cooldown between promotional events for specific games, except for the four major seasonal sales. The Steam Machine lottery closed today, with invitations for winners to purchase starting the week of June 29. Those who missed the deadline will be placed on a waitlist, with processing expected by the end of 2026.
Valve will discontinue the sale of physical Steam gift cards by the end of 2026, with retail stores expected to deplete existing inventory by the end of this year. Current holders of Steam gift cards can still redeem them at any time, following local laws. Users can still purchase and send digital gift cards through the Steam platform. Additionally, Valve is implementing a reservation-based system for its Steam Controller to prevent scalping, restricting reservations to eligible Steam accounts with a solid purchase history.
Microsoft is advancing in the field of artificial intelligence with the introduction of agentic AI, which aims to perform tasks on behalf of users rather than just responding to queries. A key feature is 'autoagents,' starting with Scout, which will integrate into Microsoft 365 applications and autonomously manage tasks like monitoring communications and summarizing documents. Scout is currently being rolled out to select users and is designed with safety measures, including Execution Containers to control resource access and mitigate risks. Additionally, Microsoft has launched Discovery, a tool for enhancing scientific research, and Rayfin, which simplifies application development for individual creators.
Android Auto offers various apps to enhance the driving experience.
1. Fuelio provides real-time information on nearby gas stations and their prices, allows users to log mileage and expenses, and offers insights into vehicle performance and maintenance costs.
2. Pocket Casts manages multiple podcast subscriptions, features silence-trimming, and has a user-friendly interface for an enjoyable listening experience while driving.
3. SpotHero helps locate available parking spots in real-time and provides essential reservation details, including navigation to the spot.
4. Weather & Radar displays forecasts and live radar imagery, allowing drivers to assess weather conditions and make informed route decisions, compatible with navigation tools like Google Maps or Waze.
5. GameSnacks offers simple games for families, serving as a distraction for kids during wait times in the car.
6. PlugShare assists electric vehicle owners in locating nearby charging stations, includes user reviews on reliability, and provides information on nearby amenities.
Valve has started contacting individuals on the Steam Controller waitlist by sending reservation emails to finalize purchases. Recipients have until May 18 to confirm their orders, or their reservations will be canceled. The first batch of controllers began arriving this week after the reservation system launched on May 8, following the controller's sellout in 30 minutes on May 4. Those with reservations should check their email and spam folder, as Valve is not sending reminder messages. The purchase window is 72 hours from when the email is received. Fulfillment will start in the United States and Canada, followed by the UK, Europe, and Australia. The reservation system does not strictly follow chronological order for email distribution. Users not included in the current wave of reservations will remain in line for future batches, though Valve has not announced when these will be dispatched. Resale prices for the Steam Controller on platforms like eBay are significantly higher than the retail price, despite anti-scalper measures in place. The Steam Controller features TMR magnetic thumbsticks, dual trackpads, gyro support, four rear grip buttons, and a Puck accessory that functions as a charger and 2.4GHz wireless receiver.
